The Arizona sentinel., 1887-12-03

Secretary of the Interior:
The taxable property of the Terri
tory is gradually increasing in value
The aggregate assessed valuation fol
the year 1887 is $26,313,50O.2l
which shows a gratifying increase in
one year OF nearly 100000, not
rithstandirg the fact that by the pre
sent system of assessment and taxation
m lch of the real and personal property
is undervalued, and very large pro
portion of tie pernosal property is n,
listed for taxation. The last legislative
assembly created territorial board OF
equalization with power to revise the
assessments of the different counties,
and SEQ that all property is assessed as
the law requires at its true cash value.
Il was given absolute jurisdiction in
the assessment of railroad property,
and directed to fix the values and
transmit them to the respective county
boards for levy and correction. This
will doubtlessly, to. a, certain extent,
correct many of the irregularities of
the past, increase future revenues, and
make the burden of taxation bear on
all alike. The same legislature also
passed funding bill by which the en-
tire outstanding floating Indebtedness
Of the Territory will be funded at a
much lower rate Of interest. The board
of loan commissioners, created and
authorized to act by the provisions of
this bill, have advertised for bids for
the purchase of 100000 six per cent,
interest-bearing bonds to run for a
period of twenty-five years, which.
without doubt, will readily be placed
at a premium, and thereafter warrants,
or evidences of indebtedness on the
part of the Territory, hearing heavy
rate of interest will absolutely be pro
aibited. While the territorial indebt
.dness is much larger than it should
nave been, had wisdom and economy
been more closely followed, yet the re-
venues of the Territory, anountin x
under a fair valuation to .aore than
$50, 900, are ample to insure prompt
raynent or all obligations. The ex
penditures for the maintenance of thu
territorial government through the
wise action Of the last legislature have
decreased, and the rate of territorial
taxation this year, consequently, has
been lessened | mill. By reduced rx-
penditures, increased taxable values.
and the gradual lessening of the tax
rate, the Territory is now al solutely
on safe and healthful financial basis.
Hereafter the taxable values wil'
steadily increase, and the tax rates
equally as steadily decrease.
The agricultural possibility OF Al
IONA can scarcely be overestimated.
Nowhere on the continent can be founo
richer soil than in the valleys of the Gil,
Colorado, Salt, San Pedro, Santa Cruz
and Verde rivers. These rich botto.y
lands have producing capacity not
surpassed by any lands in the United
States. The United States Land Office
certifes there are 100000 acres Of
arabic land in the valleys of the Colo
RADIO. Salt. and ella rivers. All tha'
is required to make them yield album
dainty is the artificial application Of
water. Water is in abundance in the
.ivers, and with the construction u
canals and irrigsting bitches every
acre of this land will eventually be
reclaimed, There, are, it is estimated,
at least 400 miles of irrigating canals
n Arizona, the total cost of construc-
ton being over 100000. This will
reclaim about 2l5,O00 acres of land.
Most of this canals have been cons
tructed, and the stock is owned BY the
holders under them. The farmer pays
for the number of inches he uses to
produce his crop. From three-eighths
to one half of an inch per acre is ali
that is generally required. This sys-
tenn of cultivatlng the soil is most reli-
able. Crops are more certain, and the
yield far greater. Two crops are ex-
pected a year, and alfalfa French
lucernel Is cut five and six times
season.
The Territory has two distinct olim.
ATTIC zones. North of thirty-fourth
PARALLEL the elevation is from 1000 to
1000 feet above sea level, with 81
-.verage summer temperature of 700.
During the winter snow falls on the
mountains and feeds the rivers with
waters that fertilize the valleys. South
# the thirty-fourth PARALLEL the eleva